During Tuesday’s hearing of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) containers case, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) told the Supreme Court it had unearthed duty and tax evasion worth over Rs55 billion.

During the course of hearing, the chief justice issued directives to the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to cooperate with Siddique to initiate proceedings against those involved in the scam.

Furthermore, Siddique was directed to conduct adjudication against those involved in the scam, whose cases will be referred to NAB if found guilty.

Siddique, while giving details of the missing containers, submitted that a study conducted by the FBR revealed that commercial ATT containers imported this year have fallen by approximately 50 per cent. Between February 1, 2010 and September 20, 2010, a total of 63,264 commercial ATT containers were imported, whereas this year the number has fallen to 33,414 containers.

Siddique added that, similarly, non-commercial ATT imports have also fallen by 26 per cent to 28,802 containers, which were found missing.

He said that the loss of revenue in terms of duties and taxes stood at around Rs55 billion.

However, he added that clearance collectors have adjudicated 108 cases against 184 containers, so far, whereas total liability adjudged against them is Rs424 million (duty & taxes) with a penalty of Rs210 million.